The federal government is doling out millions to get barbecue on the menu

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Looks like they want us to eat crickets because Justin Trudeau’s government has spent millions on the idea.

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There was a lot of talk on social media last year about governments around the world working with the World Economic Forum to push insect nutrition. CBC dismissed the idea as a far-right conspiracy theory, Bloomberg did the same, as did National Public Radio in the United States.

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Now it is Canadian Taxpayers Association examined where grants and contributions went and found that the Trudeau government offered several companies $9.27 million to help them develop products. The biggest contribution was $8.5 million to Aspire Food Group Ltd. through the federal government’s Agri-Innovate program.

The stated goal of the contribution, which may or may not be repaid, is to support “the construction of a commercial demonstration facility in London, Ontario for the production of crickets for the pet, human, biomedical and agrochemical markets.”

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It appears that crickets are rich in protein and, according to some, represent a more environmentally friendly way to incorporate this vital ingredient into our diet. According to Aspire, most of the protein from crickets goes into animal feed, but the company also takes human consumption into account.

“Research shows that one in five Americans have tried crickets and more than half of adults can be persuaded to include them in their diet, a trend that continues to grow as more consumers seek healthier and more environmentally friendly proteins.” says the company’s website.

Some of the other companies that received money from the federal government are already making products for human consumption using crickets. NAAK, based in Montreal, is already manufacturing cricket protein energy bars, but according to their agreement, revealed by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, they will expand into more products.

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“The next project is to develop a range of products cooked with cricket powder, such as steaks, sausages and falafel.” The $48,517 agreement with the National Research Council states.

Prairie Cricket Farms of Manitoba received $78,000 from the government. They advertise fried cricket snacks or cricket protein sprinkled on your cereal.

Other contracts went to companies in Bromont, Que. and Scarborough Gaia Protein from Calgary received $160,000 “to achieve commercialization of insect protein production.”

Your money, worked hard to develop the next generation of cricket farmers.

Imagine governments trying to use the WEF to promote insect consumption.

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And does the WEF actually play a role in this story? Klaus Schwab and his group have been pushing insect consumption for years. They have published several papers calling for more insect farming and consumption, calling this “a.” Solution for a growing population and a Possible cure for climate change.

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Crickets have long been approved for human consumption in Canada, and this is spreading to other countries as well. Companies offer products for those who want to eat crickets as a source of protein, adding the ingredient to a variety of items.

Just don’t count me among the people who will eat them.

Eating crickets sounds disgusting and is not something I would try. The fact that our governments are funding research into producing crickets for human consumption sounds like a crazy conspiracy theory. Unfortunately it is true.

It is also true that given inflation, especially in food, some people may consider this option not of choice but of necessity in the future.

They should eat crickets, they said from Ottawa.

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